Spurs used to go for the full English... so, why have they now lost their homegrown appetite?

This is a sequence of Tottenham’s incoming transfers of English players over the past decade: 5, 3, 5, 2, 3, 4, 4, 0, 1, 1.

There was a time when Tottenham were
considered to be the vanguard for buying young, English talent. It was a
deliberate strategy by chairman Daniel Levy.

Everyone, from agents to players and
managers of other clubs, were aware that Tottenham were in the market
for young English players. Levy earmarked potential and then hoped that
their re-sale value would soar as they flourished at White Hart Lane.

The trend was obvious, but there must
be something wrong with the development of young players in this country
when Spurs are turning their back on English talent.

Home comforts: Daniel Levy (right) once focused on English talent in the transfer market, but not anymore

Mixed success: The signing of Bobby Zamora was not a success, but Jermain Defoe (below) is eighth on the club's all-time record scorer list

Jermain Defoe

In 2003-04, Spurs signed Bobby Zamora,
Michael Brown, Jermain Defoe, Paul Robinson and Sean Davis. A year
later they signed three more English stars: Michael Carrick, Calum
Davenport and Michael Dawson.

John Bostock, David Bentley, Jake
Livermore and Defoe, for a second time, arrived at White Hart Lane in
2008-09. They continued their buying policy in 2009-10 with the purchase
of Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Peter Crouch and back-up keeper Jimmy
Walker.

And then the well dried up.

Given a chance: Kyle Naughton (above) made 26 appearances for Spurs last term, while first-team regular Kyle Walker (below) will look to improve after a disappointing season

Kyle Walker

In the past three seasons Spurs have
signed 18 players and only two of them – Scott Parker and Grant Hall –
have been English. Parker was an established England international when
he arrived from West Ham after they were relegated. Hall, who was signed
from Brighton, is yet to make an impact at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham are going elsewhere for
their players and it’s a reflection of a diminishing talent pool in
England. Many of the players Levy signed, particularly in the early
phase of his strategy, went on to become England internationals.

Carrick, Defoe, Robinson, Huddlestone,
Jenas, Lennon and Dawson have all represented their country over the
past decade, with varying degrees of success. Carrick, who was named
Manchester United’s player of the year last season, still isn’t even
first choice for his country.

Defoe is always around the England
squad, but the international careers of Robinson, Huddlestone and Jenas
are probably over. With the decline of the national team, being an
England player is no longer guaranteed to get them a place in a top
Premier League team.

Moving on: Michael Carrick left Spurs for Manchester United, but has only 29 England caps to his name. Meanwhile, Tom Huddlestone (below) has seen his career stagnate at Spurs

Some of the young talent, such as Bentley
and Bostock, have been cast adrift after failing to fulfil their
potential. Bentley is notable for only two things as a Spurs player: his
30-yard strike against his former club Arsenal in 2008 and pouring a
bucket of water over Harry Redknapp when they qualified for the
Champions League.

Bostock, who joined from Crystal Palace shortly after his 16th birthday, was released at the end of the season following five unproductive years at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham remain in the market for English players, but they are not willing to take a risk on them. Last season head coach Andre Villas-Boas wanted to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. Technical co-ordinator Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand became regulars at Palace’s games in the Championship, but they weren’t convinced.

They know he has talent, enough to persuade Manchester United to pay £15m for him, but Zaha offered no guarantees.

It’s the reason Spurs are turning their attentions elsewhere, focusing on foreign players as they prepare for another challenge on the top four. This summer they are signing Paulinho from Corinthians and he is expected to take Parker’s place in the central midfield next season. He’s another foreign import and the Brazilian midfielder will be surrounded by players of all nationalities next season.

Parker can leave this summer and Huddlestone is also vulnerable as Villas-Boas makes changes before the start of the season. They have had good careers at Spurs and have also made the transition to play for their country at various times. Sadly, being good enough for England no longer comes with any guarantees.

The end is night? Scott Parker's days as first-choice in Tottenham's midfield appear numbered by the arrival of Paulinho (below)